He came along willingly, but now that they were here, he looked uncomfortable.

"So, uh, you can come in, if you want," she said, gesturing with her hands. "Make yourself at home."

He cracked a smile as he carefully shut the door behind him and strolled into the living room. His newly acquired boots were heavy against the wooden floor, echoing off the vacant walls. Serah could feel her heart pounding harder along to the sound. Luce regarded her for a moment, just standing there in front of her.

"This is dangerous," he said quietly, his eyes flickering around the room. "You should be careful who you invite into your home."

"I am," she whispered. "I never have before... nobody else has ever... you know."

Did he know?

She didn't even really know.

She didn't have family; she didn't have friends.

She had nobody to invite inside except for him.

Who was he? What was he to her? All she had was a name and a vague story, most of which she couldn't be certain was true. But she had an unshakable feeling about him, her gut instinct putting her at ease, drawing her to him. It was simultaneously feeling safe while having her nerves frayed.

His eyes alone set her insides ablaze.

The blue looked dark as midnight at the moment, a twinkle in his eyes like they held all the stars in his gaze. He had a solar system inside of him, a universe of secrets Serah yearned to explore.

She wasn't sure why, or how, but she felt like she'd been there before. The closer he stepped to her, the deeper the feeling grew. Familiar... so familiar.

He felt like a part of her.

Goosebumps coated her skin, from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. He smelled like peppermint with a hint of sulfur, like someone had struck a match not long ago. He stopped right in front of her, leaning down to stare her in the eyes, his expression dead serious.

His lips were a mere breath away.

"You feel it, don't you?" he asked, his voice gritty, barely a whisper. "You still feel it."

What? She wanted to ask, the words on the tip of her tongue, but they wouldn't come out. What is this I'm feeling between us?

The back of his hand brushed against her flushed cheek, sending sparks across her skin. Her breath hitched, heart skipping a beat at the sensation. Maybe it was her imagination, but she could've sworn his eyes blackened, a growl vibrating his chest.

"I can tell you do," he said, inching closer. "You may not remember, but it's still there."

What is it?

She yearned to know.

Luce's nose brushed against hers before he tilted his head. Her heart raced frantically. His lips lightly touched hers, barely a kiss, a soft graze, but it ignited something inside of her, rekindling an extinguished flame.

He deepened the kiss, groaning into her mouth. She inhaled sharply, flashes of him assaulting her out of nowhere.

A crystal clear lake. Laughter. An embrace. A table. Cracked marble. Him on top of her, inside of her, again and again. Violent and vicious, passionate and out of control. A flash of fire. A flash of screaming. Vibrant red eyes staring at her.

Gasping, Serah shoved against him, moving away. Luce froze, watching her incredulously, as she tried to catch her breath. She stared at him, her body vibrating, a twinge of fear coursing through her.

Luce's expression softened, his eyes melting to an icy blue, the same shade as the lake. She'd been there... they'd been there. "What... what was that?"

He was still for a moment, stoic, his voice hesitant. "Why don't you tell me?"

She rattled off what she saw—a lake, a table, the flames. She said his eyes had been blood red, eerie as they glared her way. Luce remained still, not reacting, waiting until she finished.

As soon as she quieted down, he stepped toward her, reaching out and cupping her cheek. She didn't move away, didn't flinch. She leaned into his touch involuntarily.

"I wish I could tell you everything you want to know," he said, "but then my slate wouldn't be clean anymore."

Part of her yearned to tell him that didn't matter, but she kept that to herself. Luce leaned down again, placing a light peck on her lips, then another, and another, each softer than the first.

Serah's eyes fluttered closed.

Pulling back, he whispered, just an inch from her lips. "I have to go."

She felt a soft breeze, a tingle along her skin. Her eyes snapped open, finding the room empty.

Luce was gone.

She was alone again.

"Truce?"

Lucifer glared at the scruffy looking Guardian. Abaddon had both hands raised in mock surrender, an amused smirk tugging his lips.

Truce? No truce. There would never be a truce. There is no draw—you either win or you lose. He'd had many angels toss that word at him only to be laughed away, but Luce found nothing funny today.

He'd sensed his old friend's presence outside Serah's house, lurking around in the neighborhood. Luce had caught him off guard, cornering him in the street.

"What are you doing here?" Luce asked.

"Curiosity."

"You seem to be full of that lately."

"What can I say?" He shrugged noncommittally. "It's a curious world we exist in, and I can't help but wonder how much Serah knows. Does she realize she's living beside her Heavenly brother? Does she have any idea?"

"No," Luce said. "She doesn't remember anything."

"Except for you," Abaddon corrected him. "She oddly remembers you. That was a nice little show you put on in there, by the way. Tell me something, old friend... does she taste as sweet as a mortal as she did as an angel? Or was kissing her just a part of your game?"